Agile software development has gained significant importance the recent years. Software practitioners have recognized the importance of agile development due to the benefits offered. Therefore, agile software development has been identified as the replacement to traditional or plan driven style of development. There are different frameworks or methods, which follow agile principles, known as agile methodologies. SCRUM and XP are the most popular and widely used agile methods or framework. There are different types of agile methodologies, each containing a set of practices, which can be adapted and implemented in an organization. However, there is still a need for empirical studies to understand the factors like requirements/modifications, challenges and mitigation strategies/techniques, which can enable successful implementation of agile practices in software organizations. In this study, the primary objective is to provide a comprehensive model or framework to practitioners, which includes the list of important requirements/modifications, challenges and mitigation strategies/techniques while implementing agile, and also pertaining to adoption/implementation of individual agile practices specific to SCRUM and XP. This model also includes the categorization of the requirements/modifications and challenges into different levels of an organization, to which they mostly apply. This conceptual model or framework can aid the practitioners in understanding and implementing agile practices in a better way in their organizations. In this study, an industrial survey is conducted in order to identify the list of important requirements/modifications that are needed to implement agile, challenges faced during implementation, and mitigation strategies/techniques needed to address the challenges. Also, categorization of the identified lists into different levels of the organization is also performed using survey. A systematic literature review is performed in order to identify the primary lists of requirements/modifications, challenges and mitigation strategies/techniques, which are further validated and classified using survey. Also, systematic literature review is used to identify the list of requirements/modifications, challenges and mitigation strategies/techniques that are needed while implementing individual agile practices specific to SCRUM and XP. Based on the systematic literature review, 53 primary studies were identified which are relevant to the research area. Upon analyzing the primary studies, the list of requirements/modifications, challenges and solutions are identified for generic agile adoption/implementation and also pertaining to individual practices specific to SCRUM and XP. Thereupon, an industrial survey is conducted where, identified list of requirements/modifications, challenges and mitigation strategies/techniques are provided to the respondents. Respondents were asked to classify the obtained aspects based on the level of importance. Also, they were asked to categorize the obtained requirements/modifications and challenges into different levels of an organization. The survey has obtained 48 responses from different parts of the world. From the results of survey, requirements/modifications, challenges and mitigation strategies/techniques are classified based on the level of importance. Also, requirements/modifications and challenges are categorized into different levels of an organization. Using the obtained factors, a conceptual model or framework was constructed for practitioners that can enable them to understand and implement agile practices in their organizations in a better way. To conclude this research, a comprehensive model or framework was constructed using the final list of important requirements/modifications, challenges and mitigation strategies/techniques while implementing/adopting agile and also pertaining to the individual agile practices, and also based on the categorization of the requirements and challenges into levels of an organization, where they are applicable. The final list of identified lists of requirements/modifications; challenges and mitigation strategies/techniques pertaining to individual agile practices can help practitioners to understand the implementation criteria of agile practices in software organizations. It was observed from the results of survey that perception of literature and practitioners are different in terms of usage of agile practices, as some practices, which were given high focus in the literature, were not given equal priority by the respondents. Empirical findings also help to identify change in policies and procedures and change to open workspace as most important requirements/modifications, organizational resistance and lack of motivated programmers as most critical challenges and proper training and inclusion of experts as most used mitigation strategies/techniques. Moreover, it was concluded that there is also a need for further full-scale empirical works on identifying the factors that affect adoption of agile. Practitioners can identify the benefits from this research and researchers can extend this work to remaining agile methodologies. / Agile systemutveckling har fått stor betydelse de senaste åren. Programvaru utövare har insett vikten av agila utvecklings grund av de förmåner som erbjuds. Därför har agile mjukvaruutveckling identifierats som ersättare till traditionella eller planen driven stil av utveckling. Det finns olika ramar eller metoder, som följer agila principer, så kallade agila metoder. SCRUM och XP är de mest populära och mest använda agila metoder eller ramverk. Det finns olika typer av agila metoder, var och en innehåller en uppsättning metoder, som kan anpassas och genomföras i en organisation. Det finns dock fortfarande ett behov av empiriska studier för att förstå de faktorer som krav / modifieringar, utmaningar och begränsningsstrategier / tekniker, som kan göra det möjligt för ett framgångsrikt genomförande av agila metoder i mjukvaruorganisationer.  I denna studie, är det primära målet att ge en heltäckande modell eller ramverk för utövare, vilket inkluderar en lista över viktiga krav / modifieringar, utmaningar och begränsningsstrategier / tekniker samtidigt genomföra vig, och även avseende antagande / genomförande av enskilda agila metoder specifika SCRUM och XP. Denna modell innehåller även kategoriseringen av de krav / modifieringar och utmaningar i olika nivåer i en organisation, till vilken de oftast gäller. Denna konceptuella modell eller ramverk kan hjälpa utövarna att förstå och genomföra agila metoder på ett bättre sätt i sina organisationer. I denna studie är en industriell undersökning för att identifiera listan över viktiga krav / ändringar som behövs för att genomföra vig, utmaningar under genomförandet, och begränsnings strategier / tekniker som behövs för att ta itu med utmaningarna. Också, kategorisering av de identifierade listorna i olika nivåer i organisationen är också utföras med undersökningen. En systematisk litteraturöversikt görs för att identifiera de primära listor krav / modifieringar, utmaningar och begränsningsstrategier / tekniker, som är validerade längre och klassificerade med hjälp enkät. Dessutom är systematisk litteraturöversikt används för att identifiera en lista över krav / modifieringar, utmaningar och begränsningsstrategier / tekniker som behövs samtidigt genomföra enskilda agila metoder som är specifika för SCRUM och XP. / +918500053444

The collapse of Enron and its aftermath has put unprecedented focus on the accounting profession and its role in the self-regulatory system.

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Sheri Smith / America’s landfill space is quickly depleting as the population continues to experience rapid growth; as the population grows the amount of daily waste generated increases at an alarming as well. In fact, by the year 2024, America would have exhausted all land areas dedicated to landfills. Currently, nationwide mandated regulations or standards to decrease the amount generated solid waste, construction waste, composting waste, or reducing waste at the source; do not exists. The following report researches effective practices that would make a waste management system sustainable. In order to rate the sustainability of the management system, a score sheet was created drawing from literature written. By creating a score sheet, individual waste management systems are able to determine if they are indeed sustainable and/or in need of improvement. The City of Chicago, Illinois, was chosen as the city to be measured and has proven to have a promising future as a prototype in effective sustainable waste management practices.

The Swedish government has authorised the teaching of mathematics in English to Swedish speaking students. Much of that teaching is performed by foreign trained native English speaking teachers lacking training in second language learners. This systematic review summarises international studies from the last ten years that deal with the teaching of mathematics to second language learners. The review shows that second language students working in a bilingual environment achieve higher rates of content and language knowledge than learners in a monolingual environment. This study also summarises some of the teacher practices that are effective for teaching mathematics in English to second language learners.

Trust is one of the interconnecting links that nurture ongoing interactions between individuals. Trust is the crucial component of organisational effectiveness and is also viewed as an elementary aspect on developing communication relationships and satisfaction in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in employee intended response towards untrustworthy behaviour by immediate supervisors. Untrustworthy behaviour by immediate supervisor results in confusion, worry, and fear, which at the end slows the wheels of progress and profit. A major finding in this study indicates that employees can intend to respond to untrustworthy behaviour by immediate supervisor in a number of ways, which might be formal as well as informal. A group of South African white collar employees intended to respond to untrustworthy behavior, through direct communication with supervisors, before invoking more formal procedures. These employees intend to respond stronger by declaring a CCMA dispute when faced with untrustworthy behaviour. There were no significant differences in intended response of employees from different gender and age groups. There are significant differences in the intensity of response of African and white employees. African employees intend to respond stronger to untrustworthy behavior by immediate supervisor than white employees. / Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2011

Background: Breastfeeding is widely recognised as the ideal approach for improving child survival and feeding new-born babies and young infants. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life with timely introduction of complementary foods at 6 months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond. The feeding practices of mothers are widely influenced by different factors which may be embedded within different contexts of life. Aim: This study explored the infant feeding practices of mothers and/or caregivers of infants below the age of 6 months. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in four provinces in South Africa. In total, 40 health facilities were randomly selected in the four provinces and visited including metropolitan and non-metropolitan health facilities over the geographical area of the provinces. Fixed structured interviews were conducted and data on the feeding practices of mothers were collected using a questionnaire which had both open and closed-ended questions. Qualitative data were coded under different themes. The sample size comprised of mothers and/or caregivers of babies aged 6 months and below. A 24-hour recall was completed for all infants. Dietary intake and diversity were assessed using the FAO dietary diversity list consisting of 12 different food groups. Descriptive statistics, crosstabs and Pearson chi-square tests were used. Results: A total of 580 mothers/caregivers of infants below the age of 6 months were interviewed. Ninety-five % (n=551) were biological mothers. A total of 490 (85%) were breastfeeding at the time of the interviews. Ninety % had initiated breastfeeding during the first hour after delivery. At the time of the study, 12% (n=4) of the women were practising exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the recommended 6 months. Sixteen % (n=90) were not breastfeeding at the time the interviews were conducted. More than two thirds (64%) had exclusively breastfed their infants but stopped at the time of the interviews and 36% (n=32) did not breastfeed their babies at all. Twelve % (n=4) of the mothers stopped breastfeeding from as early as one month. The most cited reasons by the participants for breastfeeding cessation were the need to return to work or school. Reasons for not breastfeeding at all included the mothers HIV status, poor health and insufficient milk production. Forty-one % (n=239) of the mothers believed that breastfeeding contains adequate nutrients for the child and 5.7% (33) did not know why breastfeeding is important. Nearly half (49%) were giving infant feeding formula. Seventy % (n=220) of the women were giving either infant feeding formula or other liquids in addition to breast milk. The most stated reason for giving other liquids or foods was the belief that breast milk was not enough for the infant. Almost two thirds (56%) of the mothers gave their infants fortified infant feeding formula. Only one infant (0.2%) met the minimum standard of dietary diversity. Complementary food was introduced from as early as one month, and 73% of the women reported that their infants were receiving dietary supplements. Conclusion: Breastfeeding still remains a universal practice in the country. Sustained exclusive breastfeeding is still a cause of concern and 6 month EBF rates remain very low. Both mothers and caregivers had sound understanding of the importance of breastfeeding. Early initiation of complementary foods is still a norm and wide problem in the country. The dietary diversity of complementary diets given to babies was nutritionally inadequate. / MSc (Nutrition), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The relationship between an immediate supervisor and an employee is of critical importance in employment relations. This relationship should be founded on trust in order to ensure job satisfaction and productivity. Unfair discrimination is prohibited in South African organisations, and is therefore legally and socially unacceptable. Unfair discrimination by immediate supervisors could lead to lower levels of job satisfaction and other negative forms of work behaviour. Employees who are exposed to unfair discrimination can respond in a number of formal and informal ways. South African labour laws allow for a number of informal and formal procedures for dispute resolution in the workplace, including unfair discrimination disputes. This study investigated white collar employee intended response to unfair discrimination by immediate supervisors. It was found that they will generally resolve such problems through direct communication with supervisors, before invoking more formal procedures. There were no significant differences in intended response of employees from different gender and age groups, but significant differences in the intensity of intended responses of people from different race groups were found. / Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2011

The relationship between an immediate supervisor and an employee is of critical importance in employment relations. This relationship should be founded on trust in order to ensure job satisfaction and productivity. Unfair discrimination is prohibited in South African organisations, and is therefore legally and socially unacceptable. Unfair discrimination by immediate supervisors could lead to lower levels of job satisfaction and other negative forms of work behaviour. Employees who are exposed to unfair discrimination can respond in a number of formal and informal ways. South African labour laws allow for a number of informal and formal procedures for dispute resolution in the workplace, including unfair discrimination disputes. This study investigated white collar employee intended response to unfair discrimination by immediate supervisors. It was found that they will generally resolve such problems through direct communication with supervisors, before invoking more formal procedures. There were no significant differences in intended response of employees from different gender and age groups, but significant differences in the intensity of intended responses of people from different race groups were found. / Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2011

Background: Breastfeeding is widely recognised as the ideal approach for improving child survival and feeding new-born babies and young infants. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life with timely introduction of complementary foods at 6 months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond. The feeding practices of mothers are widely influenced by different factors which may be embedded within different contexts of life. Aim: This study explored the infant feeding practices of mothers and/or caregivers of infants below the age of 6 months. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in four provinces in South Africa. In total, 40 health facilities were randomly selected in the four provinces and visited including metropolitan and non-metropolitan health facilities over the geographical area of the provinces. Fixed structured interviews were conducted and data on the feeding practices of mothers were collected using a questionnaire which had both open and closed-ended questions. Qualitative data were coded under different themes. The sample size comprised of mothers and/or caregivers of babies aged 6 months and below. A 24-hour recall was completed for all infants. Dietary intake and diversity were assessed using the FAO dietary diversity list consisting of 12 different food groups. Descriptive statistics, crosstabs and Pearson chi-square tests were used. Results: A total of 580 mothers/caregivers of infants below the age of 6 months were interviewed. Ninety-five % (n=551) were biological mothers. A total of 490 (85%) were breastfeeding at the time of the interviews. Ninety % had initiated breastfeeding during the first hour after delivery. At the time of the study, 12% (n=4) of the women were practising exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the recommended 6 months. Sixteen % (n=90) were not breastfeeding at the time the interviews were conducted. More than two thirds (64%) had exclusively breastfed their infants but stopped at the time of the interviews and 36% (n=32) did not breastfeed their babies at all. Twelve % (n=4) of the mothers stopped breastfeeding from as early as one month. The most cited reasons by the participants for breastfeeding cessation were the need to return to work or school. Reasons for not breastfeeding at all included the mothers HIV status, poor health and insufficient milk production. Forty-one % (n=239) of the mothers believed that breastfeeding contains adequate nutrients for the child and 5.7% (33) did not know why breastfeeding is important. Nearly half (49%) were giving infant feeding formula. Seventy % (n=220) of the women were giving either infant feeding formula or other liquids in addition to breast milk. The most stated reason for giving other liquids or foods was the belief that breast milk was not enough for the infant. Almost two thirds (56%) of the mothers gave their infants fortified infant feeding formula. Only one infant (0.2%) met the minimum standard of dietary diversity. Complementary food was introduced from as early as one month, and 73% of the women reported that their infants were receiving dietary supplements. Conclusion: Breastfeeding still remains a universal practice in the country. Sustained exclusive breastfeeding is still a cause of concern and 6 month EBF rates remain very low. Both mothers and caregivers had sound understanding of the importance of breastfeeding. Early initiation of complementary foods is still a norm and wide problem in the country. The dietary diversity of complementary diets given to babies was nutritionally inadequate. / MSc (Nutrition), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Published Article / Postgraduate supervision and research training are core academic activities for most higher education institutions. Worldwide, including in South Africa, there is concern about the quality of postgraduate training in higher education institutions, the length of time it takes postgraduate students to complete their postgraduate studies, and the high percentage of students who terminate their studies. Against the backdrop of these concerns, the quality of research supervision is essential for the successful completion of studies. However, ensuring the quality of the input dimension within South African postgraduate supervision is complicated – the reasons being that the process is entangled with issues of power, desire, and differences in relation to supervision practices, along with rapid higher education transformation demanding more quality and accountability, etc. Therefore it is recommended that the supervision process be monitored for improvement purposes and to address context-specific needs. This article reports on an improvement-oriented investigation into the current supervision practices at the case study university.